Premier League: Manchester United's David de Gea wins Golden Glove award for the first time

Despite his consistent performances for the Red Devils for the past few seasons, the Spanish custodian had never won the golden glove award, which is given each season to the goalkeeper who registers the most number of clean sheets in a season.

David de Gea&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspAP

Better late than never! David de Gea finally gets his hands on the elusive Golden Glove for the Premier league 2017-18 season to add real substance to his elite status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. With 18 clean sheets in a season, he has won the golden gauntlet for the very first time in his Manchester United career.

Despite his consistent performances for the Red Devils for the past few seasons, the Spanish custodian had never won the golden glove award, which is given each season to the goalkeeper who registers the most number of clean sheets in a season.

However, much to his delight, he bucks the trend this time around after earning his 18th clean sheet against West Ham United on Thursday at the Olympic Stadium, notching up the top spot in the said category.

Additionally, the Reds' no.1 was voted the Manchester United's Player of the Year by the fans for the fourth time in five years and he also scooped the Players' Player award following another fabulous season between the posts.

De Gea beat Manchester City's Ederson to grab the top honor as The Citizens' goalkeeper has 16 clean sheets to his name for a second spot. Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois finished third with 15 saves followed by Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris ( 15) and Arsenal's Petr Cech (11).

With this award, the former Atletico Madrid star became the first Manchester United goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove since Van Der Sar in 2008-09.

After winning the coveted prize, De Gea rated this season as his best to date in Manchester United colours.

"I think it’s been a very complete season for me, my best since I’ve been at the club, I reckon," he told the official matchday programme. "It’s always good to be able to help out the team, and to try and be at your highest level of form possible to be able to earn points for the team," the Spaniard said.

"And that’s the most important thing, to help the team in every way you can and to maintain that level of consistency which I believe is what makes the difference," he concluded.